Frances Tiafoe is looking to book his spot in a second US Open semi-final as the American takes on Grigor Dimitrov for a place in the final four.
Two years on from making his deepest run at a grand slam on home soil, Tiafoe has again looked in good form on the New York hard courts, surviving a five-set thriller against good friend Ben Shelton before beating Alexei Popyrin, conqueror of Novak Djokovic, to reach this stage. It is now 21 years since Andy Roddick became the last American man to taste success at Flushing Meadows, and Tiafoe will hope to end that drought.
But he faces a vastly experienced last-eight opponent in the classy Dimitrov, back to somewhere near his best in the last 12 months. The Bulgarian has returned to the top ten in the world rankings after a 2024 that has included an appearance in the final of the Miami Open, and he holds a head-to-head advantage over his opponent, winning three of four meetings between the pair.
In a week of unusually late starts, Tiafoe and Dimitrov took the court before 9pm.
The young American won the first set 6-3, lost the second set after a nail-biting tiebreak 7-6, and then clinched the third set 6-3.
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Frances Tiafoe vs Grigor Dimitrov – US Open quarter-final
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Frances Tiafoe targets a semi-final on home soil against Grigor Dimitrov
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The American reached the last four at Flushing Meadows in 2022
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Dimitrov has been back to his best this year
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Sabalenka defeats Zheng in two sets
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Tiafoe leads by two sets to one
Tonight’s match, by the numbers
04:39 , Kelly Rissman
Both men have made eight unforced errors in the third set — but Dimitrov has made twice as many forced errors, perhaps explaining why he currently trails the American.
Tiafoe is up 5-3 in the third set after a nail-biting tiebreak in the second set, which Dimitrov won.
For his part, however, the Bulgarian has hit five winners this set compared to Tiafoe’s one.
The men are tied in sets, but Tiafoe looks like he’s about to clinch the third.
Dimitrov hits masterful winner during second set tiebreak
04:30 , Kelly Rissman
ICYMI: Taylor Fritz reaches first grand slam semi-final
04:21 , Jonathan Veal
Taylor Fritz has ended his quarter-final hoodoo by reaching the last four of the US Open.
The 26-year-old American had lost all of his previous four last-eight matches at a grand slam but put that right on home soil by beating Alexander Zverev 7-6 (2) 3-6 6-4 7-6 (3) on Arthur Ashe.
Fritz is flying the flag for the United States and has his eyes set on becoming the first men’s home champion in New York since Andy Roddick 21 years ago.
Read the full story…
Taylor Fritz downs Alexander Zverev to reach first grand slam semi-final
Dimitrov leads into the third set
04:15 , Kelly Rissman
Dimitrov came back in the second set, eeking out a win 7-6, after losing the first set 6-3.
Tiafoe came off of the first set as a powerful force, pushing the Bulgarian from one direction to the next, and hitting winners left and right.
But Dimitrov turned it around, reducing the number of unforced errors and leaning into his strategy.
ICYMI: Sabalenka inches closer to third grand slam win at US Open
04:00 , Jonathan Veal
Aryna Sabalenka has moved even closer to her first US Open title after breezing into the semi-final.
The world number two, who was beaten at Flushing Meadows last year by Coco Gauff, proved to be too much for Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng to handle in a repeat of the Australian Open final in Melbourne.
The Belarussian was victorious, getting the better of her Chinese opponent with a final score of 6-1 6-2.
Read the full story…
Aryna Sabalenka edges even closer to third grand slam win at US Open
In photos: Tiafoe and Dimitrov compete for a spot in the US Open semis
03:00 , Kelly Rissman
Tiafoe wins first set
02:51 , Kelly Rissman
Tiafoe won the first set 6-3.
The 26-year0ol dhas shifted from playing on the defensive to dominating as the match goes on.
The American has pulled Dimitrov from one corner to the next, moving up to the net, and put away irretrievable shots.
His Bulgarian counterpart, however, has an impressive serving record. He leads the league in the number of first serve points won. While his overall average is 85% of first serves won, this game he has won 67%.
Tiafoe breaks Dimitrov
02:33 , Kelly Rissman
Tiafoe is on.
He broke Dimitrov, now leading 3-2 in the first set.
The 26-year-old has been playing offensively, often coming up to the net. In some cases, Dimitrov has predicted that Tiafoe was approaching, offering him a lob, but in others, Dimitrov has been forced to make risky shots down the line.
Dimitrov leads in first few games
02:16 , Kelly Rissman
Both men have won on their serves. The rallies haven’t been long, typically ending with one of them making an unforced error within the first few shots as they still seem to be warming up.
So far, Dimitrov appears to be one step ahead of the young American. He has been accurately anticipating when he will move in and where he will try to land a drop shot.
In a highlight moment, Tiafoe recovered from a wide shot to his backhand with lob. Dimitrov returned with an overhead slam to the American’s forehand for a winner.
Dimitrov is up two games to one in the first set.
Dimitrov takes the first game
02:03 , Kelly Rissman
Dimitrov started off strong. He opened with an ace on the first point. And another ace on the second.
The 33-year-old Bulgarian largely had Tiafoe on the defensive, taking the first game with a killer shot that hit the outside of the right singles line.
The 26-year-old American is serving next…
Tiafoe and Dimitrov step onto the court
01:50 , Kelly Rissman
Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov are about to face off at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The player who wins will face American Taylor Fritz, the number 12 seed, in the semis.
Sabalenka wins in two quick sets
01:35 , Kelly Rissman
Sabalenka defeated Zheng 6-1, 6-1.
“She is playing such incredible tennis and it was tough facing her,” the Belarusian star said after her victory about Zheng.
She is heading for the semifinals where she will face American player Emma Navarro.
When asked what to do to get New Yorkers to support her in the semis, she joked: “Drinks on me!”
Tennis legend Roger Federer makes a cameo
01:30 , Kelly Rissman
Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with in the quarters
01:19 , Kelly Rissman
Sabalenka has been dominating from the baseline, hitting with a power that has gone unreciprocated by Zheng.
The number 7 seed, meanwhile, has not only been forced to play defense but also has struggled with her first serve.
The Belarusian player is now ahead by one set and currently up by 4 games to 1 in the second.
Nick Kyrgios makes open offer to coach Coco Gauff after US Open heartbreak
01:15 , Kelly Rissman
Coco Gauff was beaten by fellow American Emma Navarro in the fourth round of her US Open title defence as she struggled with many aspects of her game.
On that particular occasion, Gauff’s forehand struggled, but her serve completely let her down. She served 19 double faults, and 11 in the final set to cap off a difficult summer, where she has lost in the last 16 of the last three major tournaments.
Since the defeat, there have been calls for Gauff to replace her coach Brad Gilbert and look elsewhere – and there has been an unlikely offer from Nick Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios makes open offer to coach Coco Gauff after US Open heartbreak
Aryna Sabalenka v Qinwen Zheng
01:10 , Kelly Rissman
Meanwhile, another quarterfinals match is underway.
Belarusian star Sabalenka, the number 2 seed, is playing Zheng, who made history when she won a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris this summer. She became the first Asian tennis player to win an Olympic gold in singles.
Sabalenka cleaned up the first set, 6 games to 1.
Jack Draper blends style with substance to reach US Open quarter-finals in front of watching Vogue editor
01:00 , Kelly Rissman
Jack Draper is “incredibly proud” of reaching his first career grand slam quarter-final at the US Open – a feat pulled off with Vogue editor Anna Wintour watching in his box.
The 22-year-old destroyed Czech Tomas Machac in the fourth round to become the first British male quarter-finalist in New York since Andy Murray in 2016.
“To follow in Andy’s footsteps and make the quarter-finals here since he did it in 2016, it’s a big achievement for me,” he said after a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 win. “I’m really, really proud of that achievement and hopefully I can do more.”
Jack Draper blends style with substance as Vogue editor watches US Open victory
Emma Navarro reaches first US Open semi-final to continue breakthrough year
Wednesday 4 September 2024 00:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Emma Navarro continued her breakout season as the American moved into her first grand slam semi-final with a 6-2 7-5 win over Spain’s Paula Badosa on Tuesday at the US Open.
In a battle of New York-born baseliners, Navarro, who beat defending champion Coco Gauff in the previous round, stunned Badosa by winning the final six games of the second set to wrap up victory in 72 minutes.
Emma Navarro reaches first US Open semi-final to continue breakthrough year
Jessica Pegula not feeling same pressure as she aims to end quarter-final hoodoo
Wednesday 4 September 2024 00:43 , Kelly Rissman
Jessica Pegula says she is not feeling the same pressure as she aims to end her grand slam quarter-final hoodoo.
The American made it through to her seventh career last-eight tie at a grand slam after she beat Diana Shnaider in the fourth round of the US Open.
The previous six matches all ended in defeat, but Pegula has a different outlook heading into a tie with world number one Iga Swiatek tomorrow.
Jessica Pegula not feeling same pressure as she aims to end quarter-final hoodoo
Wednesday 4 September 2024 00:41 , Kelly Rissman
Hello and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Frances Tiafoe vs Grigor Dimitrov in the last eight of the US Open. Tiafoe is back as a quarter-finalist two years on from making his deepest run at a grand slam on the New York hard courts, but faces tough opposition in the wily Bulgarian, back in the world’s top ten after a strong year.
A place in the semi-final of the year’s final major is on the line.
